[whatwg] Web Applications and 3D

[Matthew Raymond]

Jim Ley wrote:
> Please do not re-invent the wheel, but standardise this (or a subset)
> functionality.
> 
> The supposed motivation of WHAT-WG is compatibility with IE6, VML and
> DirectAnimation provide 2D and 3D drawing contexts that are
> compatibile with Internet Explorer, use them, or start coming up with
> some reasons why not to.

    The examples I've seen with regard to DirectAnimation are done 
through an <object> and use an ActiveX control, so standardizing such an 
interface isn't appropriate. It may be useful to examine the APIs, 
though. We may want to be able to implement the "3d" context for 
<canvas> on top of DirectAnimation.

> As always, I'm still waiting to hear the use cases for both 2D and 3D
> javascript drawing  - "Quake like games" which is the only example
> I've heard so far, may be a use case, but it's not yet been explained
> why an HTML document is appropriate for such a game.

    I've already suggested the use of 3D for previewing a custom ordered 
product such as a motorcycle. I also brought up the "Flippin' CD Button" 
example from Microsoft. Also, imagine Mapquest with a 3D animation of 
your route from start to end. Travelocity or Expedia may have animations 
showing the cities you'll be passing over on your flight. Perhaps you 
want to see a 3D representation of the hotel room you plan to book. Same 
for real estate. If you're ordering a ticket from a concert, wouldn't it 
be nice to see what the stage will look like from your seat?

    Need I go on?